MANAGE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'manage' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of manage are conduct , control , and direct . While all these words mean "to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate," manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result. // manages a meat market

Q: Where would 'conduct' be a reasonable alternative to 'manage'?

The words conduct and manage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group. // conducted negotiations

Q: When is 'control' a more appropriate choice than 'manage'?

In some situations, the words control and manage are roughly equivalent. However, control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course. // controlling his appetite

Q: When can 'direct' be used instead of 'manage'?

The meanings of direct and manage largely overlap; however, direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation. // directs the store's day-to-day business

manage

verb

ˈma-nij

Definition of manage

as in to handle

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently as usual, she managed the crisis with a minimum of fuss

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to supervise

to look after and make decisions about managed a household and a business simultaneously

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs it'll be hard for a few weeks, but we'll manage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word manage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of manage are conduct, control, and direct. While all these words mean "to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate," manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

manages a meat market

Where would conduct be a reasonable alternative to manage?

The words conduct and manage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

conducted negotiations

When is control a more appropriate choice than manage?

In some situations, the words control and manage are roughly equivalent. However, control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

controlling his appetite

When can direct be used instead of manage?

The meanings of direct and manage largely overlap; however, direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

directs the store's day-to-day business

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of manage Instead of being driven by shareholders’ demands, VW managed to stay at the top of the global auto rat race while strategy was determined by trade unions and socialist politicians. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The investment includes $400 million from the Department of War and another $400 million from private investors through a fund managed by Pinnacle Asset Management. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 More than $1 billion in financing to buy the Dodgers in 2012 came from insurance companies managed by Guggenheim Partners. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Camille only wants Juliette to help her manage Silo 18’s transition into memory loss. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manage

Verb

Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.

— Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
Taylor Farms works with hundreds of family farms for its produce and handles processing, packaging and distribution itself.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

While not directly involved in controlling the system, humans give Spike rules of engagement all the while, supervising the entire system during operation.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Weerasethakul supervised the 4K restorations, which include remastered and remixed audio and new key art for each film.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

At least 788 people have died in Nepal, where authorities are struggling to cope with the mounting number of bodies, and at least 16 have died in China.

— Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Authorities carried out a temporary burial of about 100 victims on Saturday, officials said, as forensic teams struggled to cope.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of cope

Verb

In virtually every practice, Rodgers gives the young quarterbacks a small piece of information — how to throw the ball on the run, how to carry out play-action, how to manipulate defenders with their eyes.

— Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
New tools in neuroscience have allowed researchers to manipulate the activity of specific neurons in mice brains.

— Danny G. Winder, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The agreement had been offered last year and accepted by the official who oversees the Pentagon's Guantanamo war court, only to be revoked last August by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin amid criticism of the deal from Republican lawmakers.

— Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Malone joined OpenAI in 2025 to help oversee its data-center buildout, including work connected to the company’s Stargate infrastructure plans.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of oversee

Verb

As Korean growth picks up, President Lee Jae Myung could be excused for thinking his job as an economic reformer is done.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Quarterback Jack Strand made the Atlanta Falcons’ initial 53-man roster Sunday, and running back Tyler Goodson did not.

— Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of do

Verb

Prediction markets see low odds that Warsh will address these key matters in his address.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The program aims to address the overwhelming stress and concern people living with dementia and their caregivers have due to progression of the disease.

— Hillary Lum, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of address

Verb

Some help surgeons operate with greater precision, while others disinfect rooms, transport supplies, assist patients during rehabilitation, or provide comfort to people who are distressed.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Eight other reservoirs operated by the Bureau of Reclamation recently recorded the lowest levels in at least the last 30 years.

— Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of operate

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manacling

manage

manageable

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“Manage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manage. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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